A Forest of Pikes

I thought I would take some shots of my Landsknechts with the addition of my Old Glory figures. The below photos are of a block of 256 Landsknechts, a square of 16 by 16. It would be a complete nightmare to try and game with as the thing becomes a porcupine of pikes and even though alot of them are on multi bases it take ages to move them. Although impractical I think it gives a good impression of how formidable one of these squares of flamboyantly dressed mercenaries would be. Any Gendarmes would certainly think twice about taking them on. On the other hand it would be a hell of a target for any artillery!

The banners are surrounded by the command figures and some two handed swordsmen to protect them. I recall reading that contemporaries often felt two handed swords and halberds were good for protecting the flags if things got nasty for the pike block. There are also 32 Arquebusiers skirmishing around the block, so in total its 288 figures. Manufacturers are mainly Foundry, Old Glory and Artizan although there are also a couple of TAG, Pro Gloria Miniatures and even an old Marauder miniature in there somewhere.

The Pike Block

A Forest of Pikes

The below photo shows the centre of the block with the banners being protected by the Two Handed Swordsmen and Halberdiers.

Centre of the Pike Block

The Pike Block from behind

The sharp end

Imperial Artillery

Following on from the Old Glory Landsknecht Pike I have completed some of their Landsknecht Artillery Crew. These are great figures with loads of character and they have the advantage that a lot of them can be used as general command figures as well as gun crews. I combined them with my foundry crewmen and guns to create quite a formidable gun battery!


Landsknecht Gun Battery


The Italian villa is from Hovels Spanish 25mm range. Great buildings that are easy to paint and really help to set the scene for the Italian wars. I am not sure if they are 100% for the period but they certainly give the battlefield a good mediterranean flavour.

Italian Farm

Landsknecht Guns

Cutting stone shot and preparing the powder

 The below 2 pictures are of a couple of the Old Glory figures firing a gun by Redoubt Enterprises. I really like the figure with the linstock.

The Battery

 Slightly off topic (well about 40 years before historically) but I thought you might like to see a few photos of my activities this weekend. I donned my padded jack, kettle helm and breastplate for the annual reenactment of the Battle of Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire. I started reenacting when I was a teenager and this was my 16th year taking part in the battle! As always despite a few bruises and it being extremely hot it was a great weekend. Next for me will be Bosworth in August.